Canadian bottled water industry : technological, economic and environmental perspectives

Abstract

This study presents an assessment of global freshwater resources, water supply and demand and safe drinking water issues with a focus on Canada in general and Newfoundland and Labrador in particular. Therefore, providing adequate freshwater to meet basic human needs must be done within the sustainable development policy, with proper planning and integrated approach considering environmental, ecological, socioeconomic, and political factors. It examines innovative water treatment technologies like, filtration process, ozonation and ultra violet (UV) radiation for water bottling development. A water quality analysis for nutrient minerals for major global bottled water brands are discussed in the light of World Health Organization (WHO) requirements. -- The study also evaluates an integrated water bottling system and environmental impact on the Gisborne Lake watershed area in Newfoundland and Labrador. This study also presents three scenarios of the transportation systems for bottled water export (i) by shuttle service to the United States (ii) by Suez vessels to the United States and (iii) by a modified Very Large Crude oil Carrier (VLCC) vessel to the Gulf countries specially to port facilities in Saudi Arabia, on their way back, from the proposed Newfoundland and Labrador Refining Corporation (NLRC) at Southern Head, Arnold's Cove region in the Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. -- The study presents the feasibility for bottled water industry, environmental cost and explores the viability of the export of bottled water from Newfoundland and Labrador, to global markets. There seems to be considerable potential for bottled water export for Canada particularly for the economic development of Newfoundland and Labrador. The transportation cost for bottled water to the United States and the port facilities in the Gulf countries are about 2.0 to 7.0 cents per liter from Newfoundland and Labrador, which are not as high as is usually speculated and seems quite feasible, if planned properly.